Method and apparatus for finishing the ends of tile sections



March 10, 1953 c. E. WEBB 2,630,613

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING THE ENDS OF TILE SECTIONS Filed Aug. 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 35 f 155 r 4 5O 51 i j% k JKNLI 5 I i H II I I I I l 5s a: A A INVENTOYR.

8 v 5 i BY M 5, M 46- A rroriwsr's.

March 10; 1953 c. E. WEBB 2,630,613

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING THE ENDS OF TILE SECTIONS Filed Aug. 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1w. 105 O 31 .9 we 154 27 .9 161 o a 118:

- INVENTOR. M w-aM- March 10, 1953 c, E. WEBB METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING THE ENDS OF TILE sscnous Filed Aug. 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a1 Z0 35 251 J m I: 241 1:: g/ INVENTOR. 2.42: BY M 6. MM MMI %H/W March 10, 1953 c. E. WEBB METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING THE ENDS OF TILE SECTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 19, 1949 March 10, 1953 c E wEB 2,630,613

B METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING THE ENDS OF TILE SECTIONS Filed Aug. I9, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 "mum IV/4% 35 INVENTOR. M 6, ZJLM A TroKA/F 111.

Patented Mar. 10, 1953 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING THE ENDS OF TILE SECTIONS Cecil E. Webb, Norwood, Ohio, assignor to M. S. Bowne, as trustee, Clearfield, Ky.

Application August 19, 1949, Serial No. 111,182

22 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the manufacture of ceramic drainage tiles or soil pipe sections, primarily of that type which consists of a cylindrical column having a coupling hub or bell at one end, adapting the sections. to be interfitted telescopically end-to-end to form continuous drainage or waste lines. Essentially, the fabrication of such tile sections consists in extruding cylindrical columns of plastic clay, then expanding an end of the columnto form the bell, this operation being performed either in conjunction with the extrusion process or as a separate procedure.

The present invention involves an improved method and machine for performing a finishing step in the process of making the tile sections, which step consists in reducing the extruded sections to a predetermined length by trimming one or both ends, and simultaneously forming one or more annular grooves in the inside and out side diameters of the section. Although the machine is intended primarily for finishing tiles which have a coupling bell at one end only, it can be altered readily to finish tiles having such a formation at both ends, or on the other hand, to operate upon cylindrical columns which have plain ends.

The inside diameter of the bell is made somewhat larger than the outside diameter of the column so that when the end of the column is inserted into the bell, there is provided an annular clearance which usually is filled with a sealing material such as cement. The grooves are formed near the ends respectively of the column and hub so that they face into the annular clearance when the sections are placed in assembly. Upon installation, sealing material penetrates into the grooves and keys the adjoining ends against endwise displacement mechanically and improves the sealing effect. The bell further includes an internal shoulder which is formed at the juncture between the inside diameter of the column and bell, and in assembling the til-e sections, the column end of the section abuts the shoulder and thus controls the placement of the sections longitudinally with respect to one another.

One machine widely used in manufacturing the tile sections is known as a steam press and comprises a steam actuated eXtruder which expresses a column of plastic clay, operating in conjunction with a forming die which forms the bell upon the leading end of the column as it issues from the press. In another mode of operation, the clay column is extruded continuously and the advancing column is cut off at intervals and placed in a forming machine in which the hell end is expanded by suitable forming dies.

The forming machines produce tile sections having accurately sized diameters, both inside and out, but the lineal dimensions of the sections necessarily are irregular since such machines are not susceptible to accurate control in this direction. For this reason, it has been the practice in the industry to form the sections somewhat oversize lengthwise and then to trim and groove them by a separate operation. However, the equipment available for this technique, as applied to modern production methods, has been unsuitable because of the time factor involved in locating the sections accurately in the machines to produce uniformly finished products, and the further loss of time involved in controlling by hand the operating cycle of the machine.

A principal object of the invention therefore has been to provide an improved method and an apparatus for practicing the method, which apparatus at a production rate trims both ends of the plastic tile section at a single operation and simultaneously forms respectively the internal groove in the bell end and the external groove near the end of the column, with the grooves and severing lines located accurately with reference to the shoulder formed inside the bell.

In its preferred embodiment, the machine consists essentially of a vertical post rising from a base and including an overhanging arm at its upper portion which sustains the finishing tools for the upper end of the tile, a tile support chuck and finishing tools for the lower end of the tile being mounted on the base. The upper finishing mechanism is mounted on a driving shaft which includes a device for lowering the mechanism, including a centering mandrel, into the tile at the beginning of a cycle and raising the mechanism at the end of the cycle. A pair of rollers is mounted upon the post at an elevation between the upper and lower finishing mechanisms to cradle the tile with its lower end resting upon the chuck and, when the tile section is placed in such position, a cycle of operation is initiated automatically, causing the upper finishing mechanism and centering mandrel to descend into the upper end of the tile to maintain it accurately in alignment while the upper and lower finishing tools rotate to trim and groove both ends of the tile section simultaneously. In order to prevent rotation of the tile section, the respective upper and lower finishing tools are rotated in directions opposite to each other so that torsional forces oppose each other and are thereby substantially neutralized. Upon completion of the cycle, the finishing tools are halted and the mandrel and upper tool ascend to an upper position to permit removal of the finished tile section.

. The upper and lower finishing tools are adjusted accurately with res ect to the chuck which engages the shoulder of the bell so that the len th of the pipe section and hell. are determined accurately, u in the shoulder as a reference p ane. Bv making both the bell and tube section initially slightly over-sized in len th. this mode of operation permits accurate control of the lineal tolerance of the tiles. Tiles o this c ass are finished in various standard. len ths and diameters. and the machine is 50 arranged that the upper die, which determine the length of the colu n may be adiusted readily with respect to t e chuck so as to increase or decrease the length dimension in a convenient manner. Changes in diameter are accomplished by re oving the finishing tools and replacing them with others having an appropriate diameter.

In order to render the cyclic operation automatic, the cradling rollers include apparatus for automatically initiating a cycle of operation which is terminated automatically at comp etion. By operation in this manner, in conjunction with suitable tools, the operator has merely to place the tile sections successively upon the chuck which sustains them, and to press the tiles against the cradling rollers whereupon the machine automatically holds the tile section in position, performs its function, then stops. This permits an operator to precision finish tile sections at a high rate of production without the need of laboriously locating the sections with respect to the tools, since the tile section is centered automatically as soon as operation begins.

In severing the upper end of the clay column, which represents in most cases a substantial amount of Waste, it is of importance to remove from the machine the trimmed end in order to avoid interference with subsequent operations. Ordinary trimming methods such as presenting a cutting tool to the outside or inside of the column and causing relative rotation between the cutting tool and column involves the formation of a section of waste which retains its cylindrical identity so that it necessarily must be removed from the machine by hand.

A further object of the invention has been to trim the upper end of the tile column by splitting the end into a series of longitudinal sectors which are parallel to the axis of the column, then cutting the sectors free of the column by forming a circumferential severance line which corresponds to the finished length of the column, so that the sectors are free to drop by gravity from the upper end of the column as they are severed. The tool which performs this operation is a cutter head having radially extended blades which float with respect to the head assembly in such a manner that they feather, that is, to change their angular relationship in response to changes in the direction of movement of the cutter head. Thus, as the cutter head descends into the upper end of the column, the blades trail vertically to form the sectors, and upon reaching the trimming line, rotary movement of the head causes the blades to change their angulation, due to the change in direction of movement, so as to perform the trimming action accurately at right angles to the axis of the column and provide a sharp, well defined end. In conjunction with the cutting head, the centering mandrel retains the column accurately in position with respect to the cutting blades, and also cooperates with a grooving tool which operates upon the outside diameter of the column simultaneously with the cutting operation, to prevent collapse or deformation of the column under pressure of the grooving tool.

The finishing operation at the lower bell end of the column consists also of a trimming and grooving operation; in this case, the groove being placed upon the inside circumference of the bell while the lower end of the bell simultaneously is trimmed off by a rotary cutter having a single cutting member. The bell trirrmer forms an annular waste ring which drops by gravity in a manner which does not interfere with operation of the machine.

In addition to increasing efiiciency and precision, it has been an objective to improve the grooving operation by a technique which forms the grooves progressively and thus to avoid any interruption in continuity due to the feeding of the tools at the beginning and end of the operation. For this purpose, both the upper and lower grooving operations are performed under the influence of centrifugal force developed by rotation of the grooving tool around the circumference of the column. The upper or external grooving tool is in the form of a roller having a head which is tracked upon the column, the tracking pressure being developed by centrifugal force due to the rotary movement of the roller around the column. The lower grooving tool is in the form of a cutter shaped to gouge the groove into the inside surface of the bell, the tool being fed into the wall under influence of centrifugal force developed in rotating the tool. These tools normally assume a position out of contact with the column and are fed in gradually as their rate of travel increases, so that the grooves are deepened progressively. At the end of the cycle, inertia causes them to travel away from the column wall so that removal of the column does not mar the grooves as would be the case, were the tools engaged in the grooves.

From the foregoing and from the following detailed de*cription taken in conjunction with the drawings, those skilled in the art will comprehend readily the various modifications of which the apparatus is susceptible.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical side elevation illustrating the tile finishing apparatus generally, the operating parts of the machine being shown in the position assumed at the start of a cycle of operation, with a tile section in place for finishing.

Figure 2 is a general top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the driving apparatus at the base of the machine as viewed from a position at right angles to that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating the cycle control apparatus of Figure 3 in its releasing position at the start of a cycle of operation.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5, Figure 1, illustrating the transmission shaft and gears for driving the components of the machine.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6, Figure 5, detailing the construction of the tile support chuck and finishing mechanism for the lower end of the tile and illustrating the driving connection of the finishing mechanism with the transmission shaft of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on line '!1, Figure 6, further illustrating the chuck and finishing mechanism carried by the base for operating on the bell end of the tile section.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8, Figure 6, detailing on an enlarged scale the construction and mounting of the grooving device.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 2, illustrating the upper portion of the machine with particular reference to the structural details of the external groover and cutting head, together with the apparatus for rotating the mechanism and translating the cutting head vertically.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line Ill-I0, Figure 9, further illustrating the construction of the cutting head.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line lll I, Figure 10, detailing the mounting of the cutting head and guide with respect to the mounting shaft, and the mounting arrangement for the trimming knives with respect to the head.

Figures 12 to 15 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating the several movements executed by the trimming knives as the cutting head descends into the clay column in performing a trimming operation.

Figure- 16 is a cross sectional view taken on 1ine 16-46, Figure 9, detailing the external grooving roller and its operation with respect to the clay column.

Figure 17 is a cross sectional view taken on line |!l'l, Figure 1, illustrat ng the mounting arrangement of the guide rollers and control switch by which the operation of the machine is initiated.

Described with reference to Figure 1, the machine, in general, constitutes a base 20 sustaining a column 2| in a vertical position, with respective upper and lower tile finishing units 22 and 23 mounted in alignment with each other upon the column and base respectively. The base further includes and electric motor 24, connected to a transmission to power the upper and lower finishing units, the upper unit being driven by a vertical drive shaft 25 while the lower unit 23 is driven by a drive shaft housed within the base as hereinafter disclosed. The upper finishing unit 22 is journalled in an overhanging arm, indicated at 26, which is adjustably mounted upon the upper portion of the column 2| to permit the arm and finishing unit to be adjusted vertically with respect to the lower unit 23 and thus to accommodate tile sections of various lengths.

As shown in Figure 1, a typical tile section constitutes a tubular column 2! including a cou- I pling bell or hub 28 at one end which provides an internal shoulder 29. into the machine by placing the bell end upon a chuck 36 which is mounted concentrically with the lower finishing tool 23, then pushing the upper or column end of the tile inwardly until it is cradled between a pair of guide rollers indicated generally at 3| to align the column with the upper finishing unit 22. By centering the bell upon the chuck and aligning the section longitudinally by engagement of its shoulder with the chuck, both upper and lower finishing units are located accurately, using the shoulder as a reference surface.

In the present disclosure, the upper fin shing unit 22 constitutes a vertically translatable cutting head 32 which descends into the tile column to trim its upper end, and a grooving tool 33 which operates in a fixed plane and forms a groove in the outside diameter of the column near the trimmed end. As more clearly shown in Figure 6, the lower finishing unit 23 combines in a single unit a trimming tool 34 which trims the lower end of the bell and a grooving tool 35,

The tile section is fed 6 which forms a groove in the inside diameter of the bell.

The upper cutting head 32 is shifted vertically by means of a cylinder assembly indicated generally at 31, connected to a control valve 38 mounted upon the top of column 2|, the valve being actuated by a cam 40 mounted upon the upper end of the vertical drive shaft 25. The cam and valve are so arranged that fluid pressure is introduced into the cylinder to cause the cutting head to descend automatically, when drive shaft 25 begins to rotate at the beginning of a cycle; and there is provided also a toothed coupling element 4| mounted upon the cutting head shaft 42, operable in conjunction with a coupling element 43 rotatably mounted in the arm, to establish a driving connection with the head to imp-art rotary cutting movement when the head reaches its lower limit of travel, as indicat'ed by the broken lines in Figure l. The tiles may be fed to the machine either manually or by mechanical handling devices and once the tiles are placed in the machine in proper position, the apparatus is initiated automatically to hold the tile in position and perform one cycle of operation, then to stop. Automatic control is accomplished by a cycle control switch associated with one of the guide rollers and arranged to start the cycle when the tile section is cradled between the rollers.

The machine is intended to rotate upon the tiles while the clay is in a plastic condition after being issued from forming machines, such as a steam operated press or a continuous extrusion machine, as previously noted. After the forming operation and while the clay is suificiently plastic to be cut and grooved, but firm enough to be handled without breakage or collapse, the lengths are placed vertically in the machine with the bell end of the section placed upon the chuck for support, with the column cradled by the rollers 3!. The trimming operation is initiated automatically by an electric control system associated with the guide rollers and arranged to initiate a cycle of operation when the tile column is in proper position with respect to the rollers. As soon as the cycle is started, the lower cutter and groover begins its circuit to trim and groove the bell in unison with rotation of the upper groover, and by operation of the cylinder assembly, the cutting head begins its descent into the top of the tile column. Upon reaching its lower limit, the cutting head begins to rotate to perform its function to sever the upper end of the tile column.

At the end of the cycle an automatic cycle control clutch stops rotation of both finishing units and the cam 40 causes the cutting head to ascend, after which the trimmed and grooved] tile is removed from the machine and the next one is inserted to repeat the operation. It is to be noted at this point that the upper grooving tool and the lower trimming and grooving tools are brought to a stop at the end of the cycle in a position behind the tile section, as shown in Fig ure 1, so as to facilitate insertion and removal of the tile at the start and finish of the operation. The detailed construction and operation of the various components of the machine are treated in detail under appropriate headings in this specification.

Driving apparatus The machine is powered by the electric motor 24 (Figures 1 to 4) which constitutes a standard unit preferably including a reduction gear head 46, preferably of the variable speed type, having 1 an output'shaft 41 upon which is keyed a driving sprocket 48. The power unit 24 is mounted upon a platform which is supported in a horizontal plane by angle brackets 5I-5l having their vertical limbs fastened, as shown in Figure 5, by screws 52 to base 20.

Base 26 consists of a spider having radial feet 53 extending in a horizontal plane, two of the feet including a stiffening rib 54 extending in a vertical plane and provided with bosses 55 through which the screws 52 pass with the screws in threaded engagement in the vertical limbs 56 of the brackets 5l5l. There is provided at the outer'ends of the feet 53, respective castors 51 of suitable design to permit the machine to be moved about conveniently (Figures 1 and 2). The base further may be provided with jack screws 58, also of conventional design which may be adjusted to contact the floor to anchor the machine in position and adjust it for plumbness. The inner ends of the respective feet 53 and ribs 54 are joined to a central boss or hub 60 to support the lower end of column 2| which may be fixed in position by one or several set screws (not shown).

The base preferably is of unitary construction, such as an integral casting or forging providing a rigid unit for journalling the transmission components in fixed relationship with one another and to provide a rugged foundation to support the column 2! and driving unit 24. As shown most clearly in Figure 5, the base further includes a transverse cylindrical housing 6| to enclose and journal a transmission shaft 62 which is in driving connection with the power unit 24 to transmit the drive from the unit to the upper and lower die assembly as hereinafter described in detail.

Power is transmitted from the driving sprocket 48 to a driven sprocket 63 (Figure 5) by means of a chain 64, and sprocket 63 is secured upon a sleeve 65 which is journalled upon an end extension 66 of shaft 62. As shown, the sprocket is fixed to the sleeve by means of a pin 61, and the sleeve being loosely journalled upon the shaft 66, is held against endwise displacement by a collar 68 pinned as at 18 to the end of the shaft.

As above noted, the machine is arranged to operate through a controlled cycle so that the upper grooving tool and the lower grooving and trimming device are brought to a positive stop at the end of the cycle to the rear of the tile section, to facilitate removal and replacement of the sections in a convenient manner. The cycle may be controlled in any approved manner; for example, by the use of a power unit equipped with an electric brake which is actuated automatically at the end of a cycle. In the embodiment disclosed, the cycle is controlled by a cycle clutch indicated generally at H which connects the driven sprocket 63 to shaft 62 for one revolution, and at completion, uncouples the driving connection and brings shaft 62 to a positive stop. This unit is controlled electrically by the roller operated switch 45 previously disclosed, the switch being arranged to energize solenoid unit 72 (Figures 3 and 4) when the tile section is in operating position between the rollers in the manner illustrated in Figure 17. As shown in Figures 3' and 4, solenoid 12 is mounted upon the base plate 50 which supports the power unit 24, the solenoid being mounted upon the underside of the plate and including a vertically movable armature '13 depending downwardly from the solenoid coil. Upon the lower end of the armature there is pivotally connected as at 74, a latcharm 15 which includes a hook 16 adapted to engage a pin 11 mounted upon the swinging end of a clutch release arm 18. Arm 78 is pivoted as at 80 upon a bracket 8! depending from a bearing bracket 82 which journals the extended end of shaft 62, the bearing bracket 82 being secured to the underside of the mounting plate 55. The opposite end of release arm 18 is adapted normally to engage a notch 83 formed in a disk 84 which forms a part of a cycle control clutch II and, upon operation of the solenoid, to disengage momentarily its latching engagement with the notch to permit rotation of the disk. This clutch is a standard unit and is not illustrated in detail. In general, the clutch includes suitable coupling members connected to the disk 64 and arranged to establish a driving connection between shaft 62 and the shaft 66 when the disk is released and to disconnect the drive when the disk 84 is arrested by the release arm 18.

When the control switch 45 is actuated by the guide roller unit 3|, the solenoid i2 is energized to swing arm i8 out of engagement with notch 83; that is to say, from the position shown in Figure 3 in which the release arm acts to arrest rotation of the disk, to the position shown in Figure 4 in which the arm is disengaged from the notch, permitting rotation of the disk. In order to arrest rotation of the disk after it completes one cycle of rotation, the arm is disengaged from the notch temporarily to permit the disk to begin its cycle, then returned to a position with its end resting against the disk so as to terminate the cycle when the notch 83 reengages the end of the arm. For this purpose, the release arm 15 includes a trigger finger 85 which is engaged by a stop 86 (Figures 3 and 4) to swing hook 16 out of engagement with pin T! when the armature I3 is elevated-by operation of the control switch 45. By this arrangement, the solenoid 72 remains energized so long as the tile section is maintained in position between the guide rollers, while the arm 18 independently uncouples the driving connection after one cycle of operation. Thus, the machine will remain inoperative until the finished tile section is removed. Upon removal of the tile sections, switch 45 will be actuated to deenergize the solenoid and permit the armature 13 to drop and reengage the pin 11 of arm 18 preparatory to the next cycle of operation, as shown in Figure 3.

Power from transmission shaft 62 is transmitted to the vertical drive shaft 25 by means of a spiral gear 88 fixed upon shaft 62 and meshing with a mating spiral gear 9! keyed upon a vertical shaft section 92 which is suitably journalled in a housing 93 forming a part of the shaft casing 6! (Figure 5). Shaft section 92 is connected to shaft 25 through the medium of a universal joint 94, as shown in Figure 1, to permit angulation between the two shafts. Referring to Figure 9, the upper end of shaft 25 passes slidably through a driving sleeve 95 journalled in rearward extension of arm 26, in bushings 96-96. The sleeve is fixed against endwise displacement by a sprocket 91 at its lower end, secured by a set screw 98 and at its upper end by a stop washer I00 locked by a snap ring engaged in a groove formed in the upper end of the sleeve in the usual manner. Driving sleeve 95 is slidable long'itudinally with respect to shaft 25 for adjustment purposes and a driving connection is established between the shaft and sleeve by a key I82 fixed in the sleeve and slidably engaged in a keyway I03 formed in the shaft 25.

The drive is transmitted from the sprocket 91 to a driven sprocket I04 by a sprocket chain I05. Sprocket I04 is keyed upon a driven sleeve I06 which is journalled in a bearing I01 supported by a forward extension of arm 26. The previously mentioned cutting head shaft 42 passes slidably through the sleeve I06 and the sleeve is free to rotate relative to the shaft except when the shaft is in trimming, positions, as hereinafter described. The cutting head 32 is non-rotatably fixed upon the lower end of the shaft while the upper end of the shaft is connected to a yoke I08 which establishes a rotatable connection between the shaft and the swinging end of a lever assembly I09 operated by the cylinder assembly 31, which raises and lowers the cutting head.

The upper grooving device 33 is in permanent driving connection with sleeve I06, whil the cutting head, which must remain stationary while descending into the tile prior to the trimming operation to slice the tile column longitudinally, is coupled to the sleeve I06 only after it reaches its lower limit of movement so that it may perform the trimming operation in the manner illustrated in Figures 12 to 15. The grooving device constitutes a vertical arm IIO, the upper end of which includes a horizontal limb I I I which includes a yoke II2 embracing the lower end of sleeve I06 and clamped in position by a screw H3. The yoke is fixed to the sleeve against rotation by means of the key II4. As above noted, driven sleeve I06 is loosely related to the shaft 42 so that in the position shown in Figure 9, the sleeve and grooving device rotate unitarily when shaft 25 is driven, while shaft 42 and cutting head 32 remain stationary. When the cutting head descends to the operating position shown in broken lines in Figure 1, a driving connection is established by means of teeth I I5 formed in the coupling element 43 of sleeve I06 and the mating teeth I I6 formed on a coupler collar M which is non-rotatably secured to the upper end of the shaft.

Described in greater detail, the yoke I08 constitutes a cylindrical housing having diametrical trunnion bearings II8 (Figures 1 and 2) pivotally engaged in the swinging end of the lever assembly I09 and including a ball bearing I rotatably journalling the yoke upon the reduced shaft section I2I (Figure 9). The upper end of shaft section I2I includes a nut I22 which clamps the inner race of the ball bearing against the coupling element 4I which, in turn, is supported by a shoulder I23 formed by the shaft section I2I. The nut is enclosed by an end housing I24 secured upon the top surface of the yoke housing. The coupling member M is non-rotatably fixed upon the shaft I2I by means of the pin I25 while, by virtue of bearing I20, the shaft is free to rotate relative to the yoke. When shaft 42 is caused to descend by the lever assembly I09 to its centering position, the teeth II6 of coupler 4I engage the teeth II5 of sleeve I06 and thus establish a driving connection from the teeth to shaft 42 to rotate the cutting head which is non-rotatably fixed upon the shaft by means of the pin I26 (Figures 9 and 11). The cutting head assembly includes a centering mandrel I21 rotatably mounted upon the lower end of shaft 42 immediately below the cutting head, which maintains the tile column in centered position with respect to the cutting head and grooving tool. The structural arrangement of the cutting head 32, mandrel I21, and the fluid pressure system for the same rate as sleeve I06. ratio between gears I28 and I33 is the same as 10 raising and lowering the assembly is described at a later point in this specification.

The operation of forming the groove at the upper end of the clay column is a progressive one for which purpose the grooving device 33 rotates at relatively high speed around the circumference of the tube, the arm H0 and grooving device being halted at the end of the cycle in the position indicated in Figures 1 and 9, while the cutting head requires no fixed cycle of rotation. In order to develop a proper speed and a definite number of complete revolutions, the ratio between the drive sprocket 91 and driven sprocket I04 is such that the sleeve I06 makes several revolutions during one complete revolution of shaft 25. In the present disclosure, the pitch diameter of the sprockets is such to provide a 2 to 1 ratio and, if desired, the rate can be increased or decreased so long as sleeve I06 is driven in multiples with respect to shaft 25.

The lower trimming and grooving assembly 23 is driven uniformly with the rotation of the upper grooving tool 33. For this purpose (Figures 5 and 6), there is provided a spiral gear I28 keyed'as at I 29 upon the end of shaft 62, the gear being enclosed by a gear housing I30 formed as an integral part of casing 6|. Gear I28 is locked against endwise displacement by a nut I3I threaded upon the end of the shaft, the hub of the gear being engaged against a shoulder I32 formed by the counter-turned portion of the shaft upon which the gear is keyed. The gear I28 meshes with a gear I33 which is pinned as at I34 upon the lower end of a vertical shaft I35 in a bearing hub I36 rising from the top of casingGI.

Upon the extended end of shaft I35,there is provided an arm I31 having a yoke I38 clamped upon the shaft by means of a screw I39 so that the arm rotates unitarily with shaft I 35. The trimming and grooving device 23 for the bell end of the tile section is mounted upon the outer end of arm I31. Shaft I35 also rotatably carries upon its upper end the chuck 30 which centers and supports the tile section by engagement with the internal bell shoulder 29 previously noted. The chuck constitutes an annular ring I4I connected by radial ribs I42 to a hub I43 which is journalled upon the upper end of shaft I 35 by means of ball bearings I 44-I 44. This arrangement permits the tile section and chuck to remain stationary while the shaft rotates and drives the arm I37 to perform the trimming and grooving operation. Shaft I35 further includes a radial arm I45 at its upper end which is keyed with respect to the shaft and secured in position by a nut I46. This member also rotates unitarily with the shaft and includes at its outer end a cutter I41 arranged to form a chamfer at the juncture of shoulder 29 and the inside diameter of the tile column. The structural details of the chamfering device, groover and trimmer are disclosed in greater detail hereinafter.

In order to rotate the forming devices at the lower end of the tile section uniformly with those at the upper end, shaft I35 is driven'at Accordingly, the

that between the sprockets 91 and I04 which, as previously stated, is 2 to 1. By this arrangement, the arm-I31 and chamfering tool I41 describes two complete revolutions for each cycle of operation. It is to be noted at this point that the lower forming apparatus is driven in a direction opposite to that of the upper assembly so as to neutralize the torque and thereby eliminate; at

least partially, the tendency for the tile section to rotate during operation of the machine. In summary, therefore, one revolution of shaft 62 rotates shaft to one rotation by reason of the 1 to 1 ratio between gears 88 and BI, the ratio being increased to 2 to 1 at the sleeve I06 by the proportionate diameters of sprockets 91 and I05; while shaft I is driven at a 2 to 1 ratio in the opposite direction by the proportion between gears I28 and I33. According to the structure disclosed, the driving unit is operated continuously and the cycles of operation are controlled by the microswitch in connection with the solenoid 12 and cycle clutch 1I. However, as previously noted, the apparatus may be powered by'a unit having a power brake or other stopping device; thus, in this case, the control system may be arranged to operate the power unit intermittently in accordance with placement of tile sections in the chuck.

Fluid pressure apparatus The cutting head 33, as noted, is raised and lowered by the lever assembly I09 which is connected to the upper end of shaft 42 and actuated 4 by the cylinder assembly 31. The cylinder assembly is a commercial product and, for this reason, is not disclosed in detail. In general, it constitutes a cylinder having lugs I at its lower end, bolted as at I5I' to a plate I52 forming a 1 part of arm 26. The cylinder includes a piston (not shown) having a piston rod I53 and a cross head I54 screwthreaded upon the upper end of the piston. rod which isv counter-turned for this purpose. The head. may be secured permanently 1 by welding or penning the upper end of the counter-turned portion as at I55.

As shown in Figure 2, the opposite ends of the cross head include trunnion bearings I56-I56 providing a pivotal connection for the upper ends of respective links I 51I5'I which have their lower ends pivoted as at I58 (Figure 1) to respective lever arms ISO-I60 at a point intermediate the length of the arms. The forward ends of the lever arms I60 are pivotally connected to the yoke I08 by trunnions as previously described, and the rearward ends of the lever arms are pivoted to respective links I6I-I6I by the use of a spacer shaft I62. The lower ends of the links are pivotally connected as at I63 to a lug I64 forming a part of the arm 26. The forward end of the lever assembly moves in a straight line in translating shaft 42; thus, the sets of links I51 and I6I, permit the assembly to vary its position in accordance with its arc of swing. By providing the lever arms and links in duplicate, the forces are equalized laterally to avoid shearing stresses which otherwise would be developed.

Operation of the cylinder assembly is regulated by the valve 38 which, in turn, is operated by the cam 40, previously noted. Valve 38 is a commercial reversing valve and is not disclosed in detail. In general, it constitutes a casing having a bore to receive an operating plunger I66 which passes through a suitable packing gland I61 screwed upon the casing. The outer end of plunger I66 includes a roller I68 tracked against the cam 40, the plunger being urged toward the cam either by fluid pressure or by spring means. The cam generally is circular and includes a flat portion I10 (Figure 2) which permits the plunger to assume its outer stroke limit. Although a hydraulic system may be employed, the cylinder, in the present instance, preferably is air operated, the valve and plunger being suit ably ported to provide a reversing action. Thus, air under pressure is admitted into the valve by the conduit HI and is conducted to the cylinder assembly 31 by the conduits I12 and I13 which lead to the opposite ends of the cylinder assembly. The valve conduits are made from fiexible tubing such as rubber so as to permit the arm 26 to be adjusted. with respect to the column. The valve is so arranged that when its plunger is in extended position, as shown in Figures 1 and 9, air under pressure is admitted to the line I12 leading to thelower end of the cylinder assembly while line I13 is open to exhaust the upper end of the cylinder.

When shaft 25 begins its cycle of rotation, the fiat portion I10 will cause retraction of plunger I66 which, in turn, admits air pressure to line I13 and opens line I12 for exhaust. This causes the piston to be forced downwardly to swing lever assembly I09 downwardly to lower the cutting head 32 to its trimming position. At this point, the driving connection is established between the coupling teeth II5 and H6 to cause rotation of the head. The assembly is maintained in its lowered position for substantially the full cycle of operation as determined by cam 40, since the valve plunger I66 will be held in depressed position with its roller tracked upon the circumference of cam 40. Toward the end of the cycle, the roller I68 encounters the fiat portion I10 which permits the plunger to reverse its position, whereupon air pressure again is introduced into line I12 to cause the head to be elevated to its upper limit of travel.

In order to permit the arm 26 to be adjusted vertically and, thus, to accommodate the various lengths of tile, the arm is frictionally engaged upon the column. As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the arm preferably is in the form of a forging or casting having a central clamp sleeve I14 which isfrictionally engaged upon the column 2|, the sleeve being split as at I15 and clamped by means of screws I16 engaged in lugs I11 located along opposite sides of the line of cleavage. By loosening the screws I16, the arm may be raised or lowered upon the column and to lock the arms in fixed position radially the column is provided with a keyway I18 (Figure 17) slidably engaged by a key I19 fitted into the sleeve. The sleeve further includes the previously noted lug I64 for pivotally anchoring the lower ends of the links I6I to the sleeve. In order to provide a rigid structure, the arm is stiffened by a pair of vertical ribs I-I80 which extend from sleeve I15 forwardly to the bearing I 01, and a rib I8I stiifens the rearward portion of the arm. The arm assembly thus provides a rigid structure for mounting the cylinder assembly in fixed relationship with the shaft 42 and maintains the upper and lower finishing units in fixed relationship with each other and with the column 2 I.

Guide roller unit As shown in Figures 1 and 1'7,v the guide, roller assembly is adjusta'biy mounted upon the column 2I substantially in the same manner as the arm assembly, the unit constituting a sleeve I82 embracing the column and including a pair of lugs I83I83 along opposite sides of the split portion I84 of the sleeve, there being provided screws I85 passing through the lugs to draw the sleeve firmly in clamping engagement with the column. Diametrically' opposite from the clamping lugs, the sleeve is provided with spaced lugs I 86-I 86 which provide a pivotal mounting for the ends of the roller arms I81 and l8la which are connected to the sleeve by means of pivot pins I88 passing through the ends of the arms into the lugs. The arms, as viewed in Figure 1, are bifurcated at their inner ends to embrace the lugs I86 and at their outer ends to pivotally mount the opposite ends of the guide rollers. As viewed in Figure 1?, the arms extend angularly with respect to the column, defining generally a V- shaped fixture, a roller 3! being journalled in each limb of the V. The limbs are adjusted with respect to each other at a spacing to center the tile section with respect to the finishing tools.

As shown, the position of the roller arms is controlled by a locking plate l89, the center of which is secured to a centralized lug portion 190 of the sleeve by screws [9| passing through the plate and into the lug. The ends of the locking plate are provided with slots l92|92 to accommodate respective locking screws [93-493 which pass through the slots into screwthreaded engagement with the arms. By means of the screw and slot, the right-hand arm I81 may be adjusted for a required tile diameter and locked rigidly to the locking plate in adjusted position, while the screw for the movable arm 181a passes loosely through its slot I92 to permit the arm to swing away from the fixed one when the tile section is inserted between the rollers. This movement actuates the control switch 45 which is mounted in fixed position upon the lug I90. Each arm includes a connecting web I95 in its body portion and the plunger 59B of switch 45 contacts the web of the movable arm; thus, when the arm is moved outwardly by insertion of a tile column, the plunger I96 is released to energize the solehold 72 and initiate the cycle of operation. If, on the other hand, the apparatus is provided with an electrically braked motor, switch 45 may be connected with the control system of the motor to release the brake and start the motor.

Movable arm Iilla normally is drawn toward stationary arm [8? by means of a spring I91 which is maintained in tension between the arms, the opposite ends of the springs being anchored upon pins Hi8 secured to the respective arms. Thus, when the tile section is removed from the machine, the spring draws the movable arm toward the stationary one to the depress switch plunger llii and deenergize the solenoid 12 so as to condition the cycle clutch ll for the next cycle of operation. To avoid deforming the plastic clay column, the degree of pressure required to actuate the movable arm is just sufficient to center the tile column without injury to it; also. to preserve the tile surface finish, the rollers are faced with soft material such as rubber or plastic, as indicated at I89. The roller assembly is locked radially with respect to the column 2! by means of a key 2% fixed to sleeve I82 and slidably engaged in the column keyway [18. This arrangement permits the unit to be adjusted vertically upon the column while the rollers are maintained radially in alignment with the upper and lower finishing units. In setting up the machine for operation, the roller assembly is adiusted to an elevation to contact the tile section approximately intermediate the length of the column portion of the tile which, of course, varies according to the particular length of the sections being finished.

Upper trimming and grooving mechanism The grooving operation for the outside diam- '14 eter of the tile'section is performed by the grooving device previously designated at 33 on Figures 1 and 9, mounted upon the lower end of the sleeve I06. When the tile section 21 is placed in operating position at the start of the operating cycle, the grooving device is in a stationary position to the rear of the tile section, as illustrated, by operation of the cycle control clutch, previously described. When the cycle is initiated, the arm H0 begins to rotate around the upper end of the tile section to form a groove progressively.

Described in detail with reference to Figure 16, the grooving device 33 comprises a roller 203 having a circumferential bead 204 which is shaped in cross section to form a semi-circular groove in the tile by penetrating and displacing the plastic material as the roller is tracked against the tile. The depth of the groove is controlled by the fiat tracking surfaces 205 which form the face of the roller on opposite sides of the bead. The roller is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 206 passing through the bifurcated end 20'! of a lever 208 which is pivotally mounted, as at 2H1, centrally of its length, upon a horizontal bifurcation 2 formed at the lower end of arm I l 0. The end of the lever opposite to the roller is provided with a counterweight 2 l2 which is influenced by centrifugal force during rotation to swing the roller against the tile. The roller thus penetrates gradually the outside diameter of the clay column to deepen progressively the groove and when the device is brought to a stop at the end of the cycle, the roller automatically is swung by the inertia of the counterweight 2l2 out of engagement with the clay tile column.

The trimming operation, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 12 to 15, is commenced shortly after the start of the grooving operation because the cutter head 32 must first descend to its operating position under influence of the cylinder assembly 31 before beginning to rotate. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cutter head includes four cut-off blades 2l3 which extend radially from a cylindrical mounting block 214, the blades being loosely journalled in the block 2M upon the ends of stub shafts 215. Each stub shaft is journalled in a bore formed in the block and locked against endwise displacement by a screw 2 I 'I which is threaded through the block at right angles to the stub shaft with the shank of the screw engaged in a semi-circular groove 2! formed at the inner end of the shaft. The outer end of each shaft is notched out as at 220 providing a shoulder 22L Each blade is L-shaped, as viewed in Figure 10, to provide a mounting extension 222 seated against the shoulder and secured by screws 223.

It will be observed in Figure 10, that the cutter blades 213 extend in parallel relationship with the axis of the stub shafts in a line removed from the axis of the shafts; hence, the cutters are free to feather or assume a trailing position in response to changes in the direction of movement during the cutting operation. As shown in Figure 12, when the head begins its descent into the tile section, the cutting edge of the blades contact the upper end of the tile section, causing the blades to swing angularly to a position corresponding to the vertical line of movement so as to slice vertically through the tube in the manner shown in Figure 13. Upon reaching its cut-01f position, the cutter head begins to rotate by virtue of the coupling engagement of teeth 15 and H6. The angular change of direction causes the blades to feather to a position at right angles to the previous line of motion because of the trailing relationship of the blade with respect to their axis of rotation. As rotary movement begins, the blade describes a curving line as demonstrated by the severance line 228 which blends into a straight line 230 at right angles to the vertical severance line 23L The head makes at least one complete revolution and, in the present embodiment, since there is provided a set of four cutting blades, a given point at the severed end of the pipe is subjected to repeated passes of the cutters.

The arrangement thus forms a severed end which is sharp and accurately at right angles, since the cutter head rotates in accurate alignment with the axis of the tile section. Furthermore, by reason of the several passes of the cutters, the point of intersection of the vertical sector line with the horizontal trimming line is obliterated completely. By passing the cutters in a vertical direction through the end of the tile section with the head stationary in the sense of rotary movement, the severed end of the tile section is divided into separate sectors which fall by gravity from the upper end of the tile to facilitate removal of waste and to render more efiicient and convenient the trimming operation. Otherwise expressed, the cutters would form a continuous spiral section were the knives to rotate during descent; thus, the section would retain its cylindrical identity and remain in position above the cutter head after the completion of the severing operation. This, of course, would constitute a considerable interference with operating efficiency.

The upper end of the tile section is centered during the grooving and severing operation by means of the centering mandrel 121, the leading end of which is chamfered, as at 232, to facilitate entry into the tile column (Figure 11). The mandrel is rotatably mounted upon the lower end of shaft 42 by ball bearings 233 and 234 which are seated against respective shoulders 235 and 235 formed at the lower end of shaft 42. The mandrel is provided with an internal bore 231 to fit the outside races of the respective ball bearings, the bore including an internal shoulder 238 which serves as a separator for the respective ball bearings. The bearings and mandrel are maintained in position against endwise displacement upon the end of the shaft by a nut 248 which is screwthreaded upon the lower end of the shaft. The mandrel thus is rotatably mounted with respect to the cutter head so that it may remain in a stationary position when the shaft and cutter head is rotated during the cutting cycle, the mandrel serving to hold the tile section accurately in radial alignment during the operation.

The mandrel serves also to support the tile section against the pressure exerted by the grooving roller 263. It is to be noted at this point, that by virtue of the direction of rotation of the grooving device, inertia will cause the counterweight M2 to swin the roller away from the surface of the tile until sufficient speed is attained to swing the counterweight outwardly and the roller inwardly by centrifugal force. This gives the centering mandrel 12! an opportunity to descend to its lower limit before the grooving roller is brought to engagement with the surface of the tile section, thus protecting the section erations. Figures 6 to 8 inclusive, the lower arm 13! provides a pair of spaced posts 24! and 242 which reside respectively at the inside and outside diameter of the bell end of the tile section at the outer end of the arms I31. The trimming operation is performed by a severing wire 243 extending between the posts and having its opposite ends secured to upper ends of the posts by means of screws 244-244. As detailed in Figure 8, the inside post 24! is provided with a notch 245 to receive the looped end of the wire, the outer end of the Wire being looped and maintained in a slot 246 cut into the upper end of post 242 (Figure 7). When the bell end of the tile section is slipped upon the chuck member Ml, as shown in Figure 6, the wire 243 penetrates into the end of the bell toa level defining the trimmed end of the bell. When shaft rotates, it of course carries the arm and wire 263 in an orbit to trim off the excess material which drops by gravity from the machine.

The grooving operation for the inside diameter of the bell is performed by a cutter 248 which preferably is in the form of a thin metal strip which is bent to provide a limb 250 which is attached by screws 25i to an arm 252. Arm 252 is mounted pivotally upon the upper end of post 24 I, the post having a counter-turned upper end 253 to provide a shoulder for supporting the arm at fixed elevation. Arm 252 is retained upon the post by an expansion or snap ring 254 engaged in a groove formed in an upper end of the post. Upon the trailing end of arm 252 there is provided a guide plate 255 adapted to contact the inside diameter of the bell to limit the depth of the groove. In operation, the arm 252 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 'l and the arm is influenced by a centrifugal force to swing outwardly and thus to feed the groover 248 into the surface of the bell by centrifugal force so as to cut the desired groove. The operation is progressive during the cycle of rotation of the shaft so as to form a clean, sharp groove. When the cycle ends, inertia will cause arm 252 to swing inwardly and thus to bring the groover out of engagement. with the formed groove and prevent the groove from being marred or gouged upon removal of the tile section. In its preferred form, as shown in Figure 8, the posts 24] and 242 are fixed to the arm it! by socketing the lower ends of the posts in the arm and locking them firmly in position by means of taper pins 255 driven through the arm and post.

The chamfering tool It! (Figure 6) also is made up of a sheet metal strip which is bent to form a limb 25'! which is secured by screws 258 threaded into the end of the mounting arm I45. The cutting end of the chamfering tool is bent downwardly approximately at an angle of 45 to the limb to perform the desired chamfer. The inner end of mounting arm I45 is looked upon the upper end of shaft I35 by the nut I46 previously described.

' Iclaim:

1. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a plastic tube comprising; a pair of rotary finishing tools mounted one above the other and arranged to finish the respective Oppogsite-ends of the tube, a chuckmember adapted to engage an end of the tube having means to ly the end of the tube opposite to said chuck,

and means for causing relative rotary movement between the tube and finishingtools for at least one cycle of operation to perform a finishing operation.

2. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite, ends of a plastic tube comprising; a pair :of rotary finishing tools arranged to finishthe "respective opposite ends of the tube, a chuck said tools having means adapted to align radialnally and to align one end of the tube radially with respect to the finishingtools, the tool which .is disposed at the end of the tube opposite to the chuck being translatable longitudinally and adapted to enter the end of the tube to align its opposite end radially, and means for rotating the finishing tools simultaneously for at least one cycle of rotation with respect to'the tube to perform the finishing operation.

.3. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a tube comprising; a; pair of rotary finishing tools disposed inspaced relationship relative to each, other and arranged to finish therespective opposite ends of the tube, a chuck member adapted to engage one endof the tube to center the same and position the tube longitudin'ally, the tool which is disposed at the end of the tube'opposite to the chuck being movable longitudinally with respect to the tube to enter the tube and thereby center the end of the tube, and means for rotating both of said tools simultaneously in opposite directions with respect to each other to perform a finishing operation.

4. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a plastic tube having a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; apair of finishing tools arranged in spaced relationship one above the other and adapted to finish the ;respective ends'of the bell and tube, a chuck member adapted to receive the bell end of the tube and to engage the shoulder thereof to center the tube and sustain the tube in a vertical position, the tool which is disposed at the end of the tubeopposite to the chuck including a mandrel adapted to enter the inside diameter of the tube to center the tube, and means for rotating thefinishing tools simultaneously for at least one cycle of rotation with respect to the tube to perform the finishing operation.

5. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a plastic tube havin a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at oneend thereof comprising; a pair ofifinishing tools disposed in spaced relationship in position to finish a pair ofguide rolls A adapted to cradle the tube ez'rfternallyfin alignmentwith said mandrel for entry jofjthe mandrel into the end of the tube, andlmeansfcr rotating both finishing'tools sima net. y .fo at lee tion c cle f r n ,with respect to the tube to finish bothends of the tube in a single operation. l

6.' An'apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a tube havinga ,coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a pair of finishing tools arranged to finish the respectiveoppositev ends of the tube, a chuck member adapted'to receive the bell end of the tube and to, engage the internal shoulder thereof to position the tube longitudinally with respect to both finishing toolsand to center the bell end of the tube with respect to its finishing tool, the other ofsaid tools being translatable longitudinally and adapted to'enter the inside diameter at the opposite end of the tube, guide means adapted tocradle the tube externally in alignment with said translatable finishing tool, a power unit for rotating said finishing tools for a controlled cycle of operation, and a control system interconnecting the power unit with said guide means and arranged'to initiate a" cycle of operation automatically when a tube is cradled within the guide means.

7. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a' tubesimultaneously comprising; a pair of rotary finishing tools adapted to operate uponthe respective opposite ends of the tube, a chuck adapted-to position the tube .longitudinally with respect'to the finishing tools, each of said finishing toolsinclu'ding means for severing an end of the tube and forming a groove in the circumference of the tube, one of said tools being adapted'to operate upon the end of the tube which is engaged upon the chuck, the other of said tools being adapted to move longitudinally into the insidediameter of the oppostie end of the tube and including a mandrel arranged to align the tube axially with respect to the cutting tool, and a grooving tool arranged to engage the outside diameter of the tube to form a groove therein, the grooving tool being arranged. to engage the circumference of the tube portion which is engaged by the said mandrel whereby the mandrel provides a support to prevent collapse and deformation of the tube under pressure exerted by the grooving tool; i 8. An apparatus for trimming and grooving the opposite ends of a plastic tube having a coupling bell including aninternal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a chuck adapted to receive the bell end. of the tube and to abut the internal shoulder thereof, a respective trimming and grooving tool disposed in positions to operate upon the respective opposite ends of the tube, one of said trimming and grooving tools being disposed adjacent the plane of said chuck and adapted to be rotated in an orbit and at a fixed plane with respect to the chuck to sever and groove the bell end of the tube, the other of said trimming and grooving tools having mounting means for translating the trimming tool longitudinally into the end of the tube with the grooving tool disposed upon the outside diameter of the tube, means for rotating the trimming tool after the same is extended to its severing position within the end of the tube, the trimming tool having radially extended cutters adapted to divide the tube into longitudinal sectors during translation and adapted to sever the sectors upon rotation of the tool. A

9. An apparatus for trimming and grooving simultaneously the Opposite ends of a tube having a coupling bell including an internalshoulder at one end thereof comprising; a chuck adapted to engage the bell endof the tube axially and radially, a res 'oecztive rotary cutting and grooving tool disposed in positions to operate upon the opposite ends of the tube, one of said cutting and grooving tools being adapted to be rotated in an orbit at a fixed plane with respect to the chuck to sever and groove the bell end of the tube, the other of said cutting tools including a mounting shaft which extends toward the oppostie end of the tube, means associated with said shaft for translating the shaft and cutting tool axially into the end of the tube with the grooving tool disposed upon the outside diameter of the tube, and meansror rotating the shaft and cutting tool when the same extended to its severing position within the end ortlie tube.

10. apparatus for trimming and grooving simultaneously the opposite ends of a tube having a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a chuck adapted to engage the bell end of the tube, a respective rotary cutting and grooving tool disposed in positions to operate upon the respective opposite ends of the tube, one of said outtingand grooving tools being adapted to be rotated in an orbit at a fixed plane with respect to the chuck to sever and groove the bell end of the tube, the other of said cutting tools including amounting shaft which extends down- Wardly toward the opposite end of the tube, means associated with said shaft for translating the shaft and butting tool axially into the end of the tube with the grooving tool disposed upon the outside diameter of the tube, a mandrel loosely journalled on said shaft to align the end of the tube axially with respect to the cutting and grooving tools, means for rotating the shaft and cutting tool when the same is ex tended to its severing position within the end of the tube, and means for rotating the grooving tool and pressing the same against the tube portion which is supported by the mandrel to form a circumferential groove in the tube.

I1. An apparatus fortrimming' the end of a tube comprising; a cutting head, a chuck for supporting the tube with respect to the cutting head, the cutting head being provided with cutting blades which are adapted to float radially so as to provide a feathering action as determined by the direction of movement of the cutting head, means for moving the cutting head axially into the end of the tube whereby the said cutting blades split the end of the tube to form longitudinal sectors, and means for rotating the cutting tool to sever the sectors substantially at right angles to the axis of the tube.

12. An apparatus for trimming and grooving the respective opposite ends of a tube having a. coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a'pair of finishing tools mounted one above, the other and adapted to perform the finishing operation upon the opposite ends of the tube, a chuck mounted with respect to the finishing tools and arranged to engage said internal shoulder to sustain the tube in a vertical position with respect to the tools, each of said tools constituting respectively a member arranged to form a groove upon the circumference of the tube and to trim an end from the tube at positions with respect to the length of the tubev as determined by the chuck, and driving means connected to their respective tools arranged to rotate the tools to perform the trimming and grooving operations simultaneouslyat both ends of-the tube.

13. An apparatus for trimming the end of a tube comprising; a column, a cutter head mounted at one end of the column, a chuck mounted at the opposite end of the column and adapted to position a tube longitudinally with respect to the cutter head, a shaft for mounting the cutter head, driving means for rotating the shaft and cutter head, means connected to the shaft for translating the shaft and cutter head longitudinally with respect to the tube section, a plurality of blades extending radially from the cutting head, a respective rotatable mounting shaft for each of said blades, the blades being secured upon said shafts in parallelism with the axis of the shaft with the cutting edge of the blades offset with respect to the axis of the shaft to provide a feathering action whereby the cutter blades are free to assume angular positions as influenced by the direction of movement of the cutter head, the cutters being arranged to sever thewall of the tube to form a series of longitudinal sectors parallel to the axis of the tube as the cutter head passes through the tube longitudinally and to form a severing line at right angles to the axis of the tube upon rotation of the cutter head.

14. An apparatus for trimming and grooving the ends of a tube having a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a base, a column mounted vertically with respect to the base, an arm secured upon the column and overhang-ing the base, a chuck mounted on the base and adapted to sustain a tube vertically in fixed position longitudinally with respect to the arm with the internal shoulder resting upon the chuck, a sleeve rotatably mounted in said arm, means for rotating the sleeve intermittently, a "grooving device fixed to said sleeve and adapted to form a circumferential groove in the tube, a shaft extending through the sleeve and slidable longitudinally with respect to the sleeve, a mandrel loosely journalled upon the shaft and adapted to center the tubewith-respect to the said grooving device, a cutting head non-rotatably secured upon said shaft adjacent-the mandrel, the-cutting head including cutting devices extending from the cutting head adapted to sever the wall of the tube longitudinally and 'circum'ferentially, coupling means upon the end of said sleeve, a mating coupling device non-rotatably secured to said shaft and adapted to establish a driving connection with the sleevewhen the shaft is translated to position the cutting head and mandrel in op-' erating position within the tube, and means for translating the shaft in timed relationship with the intermittent rotary movement of the grooving device to perform a trimming operation in timed relationship with the grooving operation. it 15. An'apparatusffor cutting and groovingthe opposite ends of a tube comprising; respective rotary tools arranged to cut and groove the resp c tive ends of the tube simultaneously, support means arranged to sustain the tube in operating position. a transmission connected respectively .to said tools for rotating the same through. a. cycle of operation simultaneously. a cycle control clutch associated with said transmission, releasing means associated with the control clutch adapted to initiate a cycle of operation and .to terminate the cycle atcompletion, an electrically operated device connected tosaid clutch releasing. means, a control switch electrically connected to saiddevice, and meansforactuating the switch consisting...of amernber arranged to operate the switch automatically when a tube is placed in operating position upon the said support means to energize the said electrically operated device and initiate a cycle of operation.

16. An apparatus for cutting and grooving the opposite ends of a tube comprising; respective rotary tools arranged to cut and groove the respective ends of the tube simultaneously, support means arranged to receive and sustain the tube in operating position with respect to the rotary tools a transm ssion connected respectively to said tools for rotating the same through a cycle of operation simultaneously, a cycle control clutch associated with said transmission, a latch arm associated with the control clutch and engageable with the clutch to initiate a cycle of operation and to terminate the cycle, an electrically operated device, a coupling device on said electrically operated device adapted to couple the latch arm for actuation by the electrically operated device, means for uncoupling the coupling device after the latch arm is actuated to release the cycle control switch for a cycle of operation to condition the latch for terminating the cycle at completion thereof, and a control switch electrically connected to said device and arranged automatically to actuate the electrically controlled device when a tube is inserted in the support means in operating position between the finishing tools to initiate the cycle of operation.

17. An apparatus for finishing the respective: opposite ends of a. tube having a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a base, a column, a chuck mounted on the base and adapted to receive telescopically the bell end of the tube with the chuck in bearing engagement with the shoulder thereof, respective finishing tools for the upper and lower ends of the tube secured to the column and base respectively, the said tools being located with respect to the chuck so as to finish the ends of the tube at spacing determ ned by said internal shoulder, a pair of guide rollers secured tothe column and arranged to cradle and align the tube relative to the upper finishing tool, one of said rollers being movably mounted with respect to the other, power means for rotating said tools, a control system arranged to provide a fixed cycle of operation, and a control switch associated with the movable guide roller and arranged to initiate a cycle of operation when the tube section is cradled between the rollers in alignment with theupper finishing tool.

18. In an apparatus for finishing the end of a plastic tube having a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof, a chuck including a centering disk arranged to engage said internal shoulder with the bell end of the tube extending beyond the disk, means for supporting the tube in alignment with respect to the chuck, an arm mounted for rotation concentrically with said chuck disk with the outer end of the arm disposed adjacent the end of the coupling bell, means for driving said arm, a lever pivotally mounted upon the end of said arm, a grooving tool mounted upon the swinging end of the lever, the lever being adapted to feed the grooving tool by centrifugal force against the circumference of the bell to form a groove therein, and a cutter secured upon the arm and arranged to trim the end from the coupling bell during rotation of the arm.

19. In an apparatus for finishing the end of a tube formed of plastic material, a grooving device adapted to form a circumferential groove around the tube constituting an arm adapted to be rotated in an orbit around the circumference of the tube, a lever pivotally mounted upon said arm for movement therewith, a grooving roller mounted upon an end of said lever, the opposite end of the lever being counterweighted to swing the lever by a centrifugal action in a direction to track the roller upon the circumference of the tube under sufficient pressure to cause a groove to be pressed into the tube during rotation of the arm.

20. An apparatus for trimming the respective ends of a tube having a coupling bell including an internal shoulder at one end thereof comprising; a vertical column, a chuck mounted in the lower end of the column and adapted to receive the bell end of the tube, a cutting tool adapted to be rotated in an orbit at a fixed plane with respect to the chuck to trim the bell end of the tube, an arm secured upon the column above said chuck, a cutting head mounted with respect to said arm and in alignment with said chuck, a cutting head shaft rotatably journalled in said arm and adapted to rotate and translate the cutting head vertically into and out of engagement with the upper end of the tube, an intermittently rotated drive shaft, means for coupling the cutting head shaft to the drive shaft for rotary movement when the cutting head is at its lower limit of travel, a cylinder assembly connected with the drive shaft for translating the shaft, a valve for controlling the operation of the cylinder assembly, and a cam secured upon said drive shaft and in operating relationship with said valve to translate the drive shaft in timed relationship with the rotary cycles of operation.

21. An apparatus for finishing the respective opposite ends of a plastic til-e section comprising; a pair of rotary finishing tools disposed in spaced relationship with each other and arranged to finish the respective opposite ends of the tile section, support means arranged to rotatably' sustain the tile section relative to the finishing tools, and means for rotating both of said rotary finishing tools simultaneously, in opposite directions with respect to one another, to neutralize the torque transmitted to the tile section by the respective finishing tools.

22. The method of configurating the opposite ends of a plastic tile section consisting of presenting respective rotary forming tools against the opposite ends of the tile section, maintaining the tile section freely rotatable and longitudinally fixed with respect to the forming tools, and simultaneously rotating the forming tools in opposite directions with respect to one another whereby the turning force transmitted to the tile section by rotation of one forming tool is opposed by rotation of the other forming tool.

CECIL E. W'EBB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 610,829 Raney Sept. 13, 1898 2,001,316 Shipley May 14, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,915 Germany May 2, 1879 

